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Is it safe to drink green tea during pregnancy?

There is a lot to take care of in pregnancy. From food to diet to overall wellness, pregnancy times need to be balanced properly. Eating and drinking healthily are required but if you go overboard, there can be disastrous repercussions. Read on to know how.

Ashima Sharda Mahindra

Updated Aug 16, 2022, 08:17 IST

Even though green tea contains caffeine even though at small levels, which even damages the DNA if consumed a lot.

New Delhi: Pregnancy time for most women is filled with pampering from family and friends. You get to eat good food and feel your best because of hormonal changes in the body. However, you need to take extra care of your diet as what you eat affects the baby.

A pregnant woman needs to drink lots of fluids to maintain hydration levels in the body. Water helps in forming placenta and amniotic fluid and replenishes electrolytes. Doctors recommend eight to 12 glasses of water or fluids for a pregnant woman every day.

But certain foods and drinks should not be consumed in excess as they can cause an imbalance in the vitals, harming the baby. Green tea is one such beverage that has a lot of health benefits but can be disastrous in pregnancy if consumed too much.

Green tea contains a very high concentration of antioxidants known as polyphenols that help in fighting free radicals that cause infection. However, the beverage contains caffeine even though at small levels, which even damages the DNA if consumed a lot.

Risks of having too much green tea

Here are a few risks that over-drinking green tea can cause:

Miscarriage: Since caffeine is a stimulant, and can easily reach the baby's bloodstream through the placenta. It can harm the baby's DNA cells and even lead to early miscarriage.
Stillbirth: Having too much caffeine is not good in pregnancy. Even though green tea does not have very large quantities, it can cause still if you keep drinking large quantities during your pregnancy.
Premature birth: There are various reasons for premature birth, that can give rise to various defects in the baby since the organs do not develop properly.
Low birth weight: Green tea is a stimulant and drinking too much of it can trigger the caffeine to raise your blood pressure and heart rate. That is the biggest cause and side effect for the baby, who can be born with a low birth rate.
Is a diuretic: Green tea is also a diuretic that would make you take a lot of bathroom breaks and release water from the body. So, it is important to drink a lot of water and stay hydrated.

Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.

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